Mexico shine at both ends in victory over Panama

ARLINGTON – Opportunistic scoring and top goalkeeping propelled Mexico to a 3-0 triumph over Panama in the semifinals of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Finals on Thursday evening at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Two goals in four first half minutes from Edson Alvarez and Julian Quinones, plus a second half strike from Orbelin Pineda, was complemented by superb goalkeeping from Guillermo Ochoa to earn Mexico a second-ever trip to the Final of the Concacaf Nations League.

There were chances early on for both sides, including a free header in the 9’ for Alvarez off a free kick on which Panama GK Orlando Mosquera made a sensational reaction save.

Panama withstood the early Mexico pressure and started making some dangerous forays forward into the Mexico half, including a heavy Jose Rodriguez hit in the 32’ that Ochoa parried wide.

After failing to score the first time from a set piece, Alvarez made good the second time around, taking an Erick Sanchez free kick and heading into net in the 40’ to hand Mexico a 1-0 lead.

The momentum had swung firmly back in Mexico’s favor and they made the most of it, tacking on a second goal before halftime with a clinical finish from Quinones to make it 2-0 in the 43’

Panama looked to bounce back to start the second half and were achingly close to pulling a goal back in the 51’ when Jose Fajardo looked set to score off a slick backheeled pass from Andres Andrade, only for Ochoa to make a big save.

A miscue from Panama’s Adalberto Carrasquilla in the 64’ led to a golden opportunity for Mexico to stretch their lead to three, but Mosquera pulled through again with another fine save.

However, there was nothing Mosquera could do to prevent Pineda from hauling in a long ball and chipping over the Panama shot-stopper to make it 3-0 in the 67’.

From there, the Mexico defense handled matters the rest of the way to nail down the clean sheet victory and book a date with long-time rivals the United States in Sunday’s Final.